Last year was the first year Howard Alan Events presented one of its prestigious art festivals in the Arlington area of Virginia. After 12 years of extraordinarily successful art festivals in nearby Alexandria, it made sense to bring another festival to the art lovers of Virginia.

Virginia is one of the most beautiful places to be in the U.S. when the changing colors of the fall season hit. We may be a little bit early to see those fall colors, but color won’t be lacking in the art displayed by Howard Alan Events artists. More than 100 artists will be showing their exceptional creations along Washington Boulevard, Clarendon Boulevard and North Highland Street this weekend, September 20th and 21st, 2014. Many artists apply but only a few are selected to be part of this juried outdoor art festival.

Featured Artist: Belisario Manrique

Vivid color is an unmistakable aspect of featured artist Belisario Manrique’s artistic style. He draws upon his Peruvian background to bring the canvas to life with vibrant hues in contemporary and abstract paintings. Belisario utilizes various media to achieve his final works. At this festival, patrons have an opportunity to enter to win “Blooms,” a 24” x 24” acrylic painting on wood panel, valued at $525. No purchase is necessary to enter the drawing, so make sure you stop by and say hello. A winner will be randomly chosen the final hour of the show on Sunday. To learn more about Belisario, visit his website.

Show Sponsor: The Lincoln Motor Company

Hate parallel parking? You’re not the only one. Festival Patrons are invited to visit the Lincoln Motor Company display during the art festival to experience the Active Park Assist feature on the first-ever MKC. As a thank you for checking it out, participants will receive complimentary gift cards for art purchases at the art festival (a $20 value, usable with any Arlington Festival of the Arts artist). Also, each day, at the Lincoln Motor Company vehicle display, one lucky participant will have the chance to win a limited edition “Hello” Cheryl Summers print. To learn more about Cheryl go to www.artistcherylsummers.com. To see the Active Park Assist feature in action (and the reactions of some regular folks), click to check out their YouTube video. See why words like “awesome” apply.

Spotlight Artists

Besides paintings, other types of art will also be on display. Notably, Florida based Anne Andersson creates unique fine art animal sculptures out of Sisal fibers, clay and glass. They are so lifelike—you’ll want to pet them! Each one is a one-of-a-kind creation and the artist tends to focus on wildcats as her subjects, reflecting her passion for protecting the beautiful creatures. To learn more about her, visit her website.

Virginia artist Christine Lush-Rodriguez creates clay sculpture that has a distinctive organic appearance. Alien looking sculptures may have echoes of flower and plant parts or hints of sea creatures. There may be a teapot with barnacles on it or a vase that looks like an underwater anemone. To learn more about Christine’s unique clay sculpture, visit her website.

#HolidayWishList

Ok, so you plan to tackle your holiday shopping early, but don’t deprive yourself of your own wishes! Join us on social media and post a pic of YOUR wish list items. Who knows, maybe someone will see it and get it for you. Post on any of our social pages with hashtag #HolidayWishList and #ArlingtonFOTA. See you at the show! Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram | Twitter